Egypt demands swift probe into alleged torture to death of citizen in Germany

Egypt’s foreign ministry said it is carrying out an inquiry on the death of an Egyptian national while in custody in Germany and has demanded a swift probe by German authorities into the incident.

The Egyptian embassy in Berlin has contacted officials in the German federal government requesting “official clarification” of the incident following reports by local media and the man’s family about his death, the ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

The death of Mohammed Abdel Fattah, 22, was first reported by the young man’s father during an interview on a privately-owned TV channel.

The father claimed that his son had been tortured to death by German police officers while in custody in the western German city of Essen without Egyptian authorities being informed.

Abdel Fattah’s father said his son was a resident in Italy who carried the Italian nationality and that he entered Germany illegally last year and was then arrested by German police and put in jail.

The foreign ministry summoned Abdel Fattah’s family on Tuesday to examine the deceased’s official papers and most recent correspondence to take the necessary legal measures.

The embassy in Berlin had sent an official memorandum to the German foreign ministry to seek swift information about the Egyptian man, the circumstances of his imprisonment and cause of his death, the ministry said.

The embassy has also inquired about why the Egyptian side had not been informed of the incident.

Local German authorities said Abdel Fattah was jailed and confirmed his death and said an official probe has been opened into the matter.

They also vowed to provide a written formal response to Cairo authorities once investigations conclude, the ministry added in the statement.

The general Egyptian mission in Frankfurt urged German authorities to complete investigations swiftly and to brief Cairo on the matter so that Egyptian authorities can take necessary measures.

source: Ahram Online